Irish lightweight boxer Kellie Harrington has won gold in Tokyo, after winning two rounds of the final against Brazil's Beatriz Ferreira.
The St Mary's boxer came back from a 3-2 decision against her in the first round to take the second two rounds and ultimately win her lightweight final by unanimous decision.
Standing on top of the podium as Amhrán na bhFiann was played out, Harrington could not fight back the tears as she celebrated one of the greatest performances by an Irish boxer ever, not just at the Games.
Despite the early hours of the fight in Ireland, messages of support flew in from all across the country, as Harrington solidified her place as a national hero to the next generation of Irish athletes.
Impossible to not be moved by Kellie Harrington’s victory. A frontline worker from Portland Row standing top of the podium in Tokyo? It’s just magic.
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) August 8, 2021
💪💪💪💪💪Kellie Harrington wins Olympic GOLD medal after win over Beatriz Ferreira
https://t.co/ERcyHuilQ6— Nicola Tallant (@nicolatallantsw) August 8, 2021
While her family were all up, and ready to celebrate with the entire neighbourhood of Portland Row, Harrington's mother laughed that she could not watch the fight.
That did not stop them all from being over the moon for the history-making Irish boxer.
“I don’t know, I didn’t watch it.”
Kellie Harrington’s mum is every Irish mammy ever ♥️🥇🇮🇪#TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 #Boxing pic.twitter.com/haqh9S8grM— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) August 8, 2021
After a narrow victory in her semi-final, Harrington's control over the pace of the final fight, as well as her overall strategy to take on the more aggressive fighter was a masterclass in how to win an Olympic gold medal.
I love how the ref had to tell the boxers to fight in Harrington's semi-final and then Harrington casually shows up to the final and is like, "oh this one is going to be an absolute barnstormer? I'll take that on a unanimous decision, cheers."
— Eoin Sheahan (@EoinSheahan) August 8, 2021
Harrington's medal means that she joins the likes of Michael Carruth and Katie Taylor in the upper echelons of Olympic legends, as supporters from across the country were quick to point out.
Hakuna Matata Kellie 🥊
Unreal Olympic Lightweight Champion Kellie Harrington 🥇🇮🇪🇯🇵💫@Kelly64kg
2012 Olympic Champion @KatieTaylor #Olympic Champion #TeamIreland— Marie Sheehan (@Shinyshoe) August 8, 2021
Not only was this only the third Olympic gold for Irish boxers, it also marked the first time that Ireland has ever won two golds in two different sports, following the rowers Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy had previously won their Olympic double sculls gold medals.
First time Ireland has ever won 2 🥇🥇 in different sports at same Olympics
First time Ireland has had male and female 🥇🥇 medalists at the same Olympics
11th all time 🥇 for Ireland
3rd all time boxing 🥇 for Ireland
Kellie Harrington is amazing #TeamIreland 🇮🇪— Dodge (@seidodge) August 8, 2021
Kellie Harrington. That’s right up there with the all-time great sporting moments. As a fellow inner city Dub, I salute you. Magic @Kelly64kg. A truly phenomenal moment for a gem of a person. Your family are rightly bursting with pride. I’m bawling.🥇 🇮🇪 👏👏👏
— Denis Kirwan (@deniskirwan) August 8, 2021
Off The Ball will bring reaction to the final day of Tokyo 2020 throughout the day.
Indeed are proud to support Team Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Indeed believes the world works better when people are given every opportunity to unleash their true talents. #TalentUnleashed
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